Officials plan to build 4.5 lakh individual sanitary latrines (ISL) in two years in the district

The East Godavari district administration is keen on ensuring construction of 4.5 lakh individual sanitary latrines (ISL) at households in the next two years under the ‘Atma Gouravam’ scheme.

Announcing this during the inaugural of the National Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Week under the ‘Swachh Bharat’ programme at Penumarthi village on the city outskirts on Monday, Collector H. Arun Kumar said that sanitation was being given a top priority by both the State and Central governments.

“Though hygiene and sanitation look like simple issues, they play a major role in keeping the people and the ambience healthy. It is estimated that lack of hygiene is the root cause behind 80 per cent of the diseases,” the Collector said and urged people to keep their surroundings clean.

Referring to the ISLs, he said that of the 15 lakh houses in the district, as many as 4.5 lakh did not have sanitary latrine facility, forcing people go for open defecation.

“The aim of the mission is to achieve 100 per cent ISLs in the district in the next two years. The government grants Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 15,000 for the construction of an ISL, basing on its plinth area. Ration card is the only criteria to avail of the facility,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Arun Kumar also flagged off an awareness rally in the village and participated in a padayatra.

District Medical and Health Officer M. Savitramma, Rural Water Supply Superintending Engineer R.P. Nanda Rao, project director of Housing Selvaraj, CEO of the Zilla Parishad Padma and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Of the 15 lakh houses in the district, 4.5 lakh do not have ISL facility

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